Chapter 9
1009words
Though her affair with Karen disgusted me, I'd always recognized that he bore the primary blame.
I'd had no interest in dealing with such an insignificant person anymore, but she'd managed to force my hand.
Better to remove the rot before it spread.
But I never expected her to have the audacity to cause a scene at my company.
And she brought Karen with her.
"Um… Miss Alicia," my assistant whispered awkwardly, "he said he was your former partner, so the receptionist didn't dare stop them…"
She looked mortified to deliver this news.
"It's fine," I assured her. "I'll handle this. Tell everyone to continue with their work."
As soon as my assistant left, Karen blurted out: "Alicia, I've missed you so much. Can we please get back together?"
I remained seated, arms crossed, curious to see how this performance would unfold.
"Alicia, I don't know what came over me… I regret everything so much. I love you, truly. Let's get back together. I swear I'll treat you twice as well!"
Taking my silence as encouragement, he pressed on: "Alicia, I know you can't let go of me either. It must have been so hard on you. I was wrong. I'm ready for the Eternal Ceremony now. Isn't that what you've always wanted? After the ceremony, there won't be any more doubts. Let me protect you forever…"
I couldn't help but laugh at this. I stood up, slowly clapping as I approached them.
Karen instinctively backed away before catching himself and holding his ground at the doorway.
I stopped directly in front of him. "Not a bad performance. Just… your face is a bit too thick."
The audacity was breathtaking.
Looking back, I truly couldn't understand how I'd spent three years with him. Love really does reduce one's IQ to zero.
"Are you so broke now that you can't afford a mirror?" I asked sweetly. "If not, perhaps you could look at your reflection in a puddle of your own piss."
Karen's expression shifted from confusion to anger.
"Oh, by the way," I added casually, "don't you still owe me a bottle of Elder's Blood?"
His face darkened further. I shifted my gaze to Lorelei standing silently behind him. "How does it feel to boost your power with my property? Must feel amazing, right? After all, it's my family's treasure you're enjoying."
Both their faces turned ashen.
Karen frowned, giving me his best wounded look. "Lisia, you were never like this before. Is our relationship worth less than some bottle of blood? Besides… Lorelei is like your sister too. Just consider it a welcoming gift. You're so wealthy—why are you being so petty?"
I felt nauseated by his manipulative tactics.
"Let me make some corrections." I returned to my seat, crossing my legs elegantly.
"First, my name is Alicia. We're not on familiar terms anymore."
"Second, our relationship is over, so spare me the emotional appeals."
"Third, I am a Pureblood Noble. Not just anyone can claim kinship with me."
"Finally, yes, I am wealthy—but what does that have to do with either of you?"
I smiled thinly. "Since you're here, you've saved me the trouble of finding you. Return the gold equivalent of that Elder's Blood, then get out. After all, we've been together for three years—you wouldn't refuse to pay your debt, would you?"
Karen's face cycled between pale and flushed. He finally realized reconciliation was impossible. "Of course I'll pay it back," he said through gritted teeth, "but I need some time."
"One month," I said flatly. "After that, I'll personally visit your design company to collect."
I had indeed been foolish enough to transfer full ownership of that design company to him.
One month was generous, all things considered.
"What about Lorelei's job?" he demanded. "What gives you the right to fire people as you please? Does having power and influence mean you can just do whatever you want?"
I studied him with detached interest before turning to Lorelei. "Do you have any objections to your termination?"
Lorelei stood behind him looking pathetic, with an expression of reluctant submission. "I have no objection. This is Alicia's company. She can do whatever she wants…"
Her implication was clear—I had fired her out of spite.
"You want a job?"
I asked a new question.
"…If not here, another company would be fine," she murmured.
The audacity to negotiate after what she'd done was astounding.
"What if I ensure you can't get one anywhere?"
I watched her with cold amusement, curious how far she'd push this act.
"You wouldn't want things to get out of hand," she said softly. "After all, you have your family reputation to consider. If it became known you arbitrarily dismiss employees, the impact could be… unfortunate."
Was she actually threatening me?
I chuckled, picked up my phone, and said loudly enough for everyone to hear: "Contact all supernatural businesses we've worked with. Inform them that Lorelei deliberately sabotaged critical business negotiations and nearly damaged our company's reputation. Advise extreme caution in hiring."
The message was crystal clear—I was blacklisting her throughout the supernatural business community.
In our tight-knit business community, reputation was everything. Once word spread about her sabotage, no company would touch her.
There were countless better candidates than her. Even without my warning, her prospects were dim, but I wanted to ensure her complete professional destruction.
"This," I said, setting down my phone, "is what actual abuse of power looks like. Feel free to seek justice however you wish. The surveillance footage is crystal clear, and I've had multiple backups made. Shall we take this to the Council of Elders?"
"You scheming bitch!" she finally exploded. "If your brain isn't working right, take more medicine! Don't wander around in public acting crazy—it's truly an eyesore!"
I watched her face contort with rage with quiet satisfaction, then glanced at Karen, who stood there looking utterly dejected, like an abandoned dog left in the rain.
